February 16th, 2006 issue #0507

When Kurt Kroboth went to the Charlottesville Wal-Mart in the fall of 2004 and bought a vampire mask, his purchase probably didn't raise any eyebrows. After all, it was October 26– five days before Halloween– and Kroboth, a well-heeled financial consultant and film buff, was hardly the only shopper preparing for the holiday.

When Kurt Kroboth went to the Charlottesville Wal-Mart in the fall of 2004 and bought a vampire mask, his purchase probably didn't raise any eyebrows. After all, it was October 26– five days before Halloween– and Kroboth, a well-heeled financial consultant and film buff, was hardly the only shopper preparing for the holiday.